What will the Lord teach us? How will the Lord work in us and through us? Today our team is on the way. We read John 7:37-39 - this our prayer for the week - that the Spirit of God would live vibrantly through us. Thanks for your prayer.

Hope or Hopeless

Today we built the last five homes of the season, bringing our total to an even 300. As we do with every build site, we take time to sit with the family and hear a little bit more of their story. Some inspire us and fill us with hope; others shake us and tempt us to considering it's hopeless. At least that's what the surface of people's lives can do to you.

Let me tell you quickly about two 15 year old boys:

- the first has been so delinquent that his parents feared that he would be killed; so they scraped together enough money to hire a "coyote" (someone who smuggles people across the US border) and sent him on the perilous journey up through Central America, Mexico and perhaps into the US. The father indicates a hopelessness in the boy; but he also shares his own hopelessness and his own plans to leave once he can raise some more money. He is hopeless about his family and himself. Listening to their story can leave one feeling hopeless.

- the second boy, is one of the most grateful, tender hearted young men we have met in El Salvador. He worked hard, took instruction and showed tremendous care as he participated in building his new home. When we asked about how we could be praying for him, his response was "Thank God for me and my friends. Two years ago they received houses and now my family has one!" His eyes filled with tears as he told us that the rainy season would soon be here and that he was thankful that he wouldn't have to be awakened at night by the rain coming through the roof or through the plastic sheeted walls. A young voice of hope! His parents, are committed to each other, faithful to each other, they pray every day and give thanks to God for his blessings (this was before finding out they were receiving a house). They are a sign of hope. Listening to their story can leave one filled with hope.

The truth is, our emotions get tossed back and forth as we enter into the lives of these people for a day or a week. However, deeper than our emotions and beyond our capacity to see, there is a Greater truth at work: that God in the midst of many consider a hopeless situation, is bringing deep abiding hope through the love of Jesus Christ. Our circumstances do not define our level of hope. Our hope comes from God, is centred in Christ, and flows through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks for praying with us.

Deve

A great question

Last evening, following supper, someone asked me this question: "What would you consider it means to be a good Christian?" ...

Before I share my response let me also capture a little bit of a conversation that I had with Pastor Amilcar, the new pastor in San Vicente. He and I were doodling and sharing verses to bridge the language barrier about what the church (people of God) are to do and our responsibility as pastors. We shared verses like: Matt. 16:18; Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8. Though limited by language our excitement was evident as we recognized that God has given us a shared view of our roles: to equip and encourage people to "go" and share the grace and truth of Christ; and secondly allow Christ to build the church. Too often we reverse those eternal truths for our own convenience and sense of accomplishment. 

So back to my evening conversation, my reply was (not surprisingly), "why do you ask that question?" Then we were able to talk about past hurts he'd experienced and a view that many churches and church leaders are only interested in attendance figures and budgets, throw in a few baptisms and you have a good year and that's how you determine who the good Christians are. Like earlier in the day, we came to the realization that many churches have reversed Jesus' instructions to us. The road back is long and twisted because so much needs be unlearned and confessed but it is possible through a long term commitment according to the impulse of Jesus. 

By the way, my answer, " I wouldn't refer ti myself or others that way; I prefer the term 'follower of Jesus' because it reminds me that in my imperfection He is working in and through me and that my objective is to keep His example and truth as my own. There is no goodness apart from Him and there is no Christian without Christ."

Our conversation isn't done yet, I'd welcome your input, how would you respond?